Hey guys, new here, just have a few questions

[EricB814]

Hey everyone, I discovered this site today while researching ways to properly maintain my car. I have a used 2006 Chevy Malibu (I know its not a Corvette or anything fancy) and the exterior is in rough shape. No, it isn't rusted out, but swirls/scratches are BAD. Even though it is fairly old, I am actually kind of anal about it and want it looking its best. So, I came here to ask if what I'm planning on doing will get it looking better.


Here's my plan:
Once a week I wash it (just use Armor-All right now, when I get some money I plan on getting some good products from Meguiars). It does, however, have water marks because the last time I washed it I didn't dry it.
1. I am going to start off by spraying the bird poop/bugs/tar with an all purpose spray (any reccomendations?), washing it with Meguiars Ultimate Wash & Wax, then apply some Quik detailer from the Smooth Surface Clay Kit (hoping this gets rid of watermarks) and dry with a microfiber towel.
2. Then I will move to the rims and clean them up and apply some tire foam.
3. Next, I will clay the car with the smooth surface kit.
4. After that, I will use Ultimate compound to remove scratches and swirls and buff the rest with a clean microfiber towel.
Should I use anything after that to like polish the car to make it shiny? Is this a good plan to get the car looking great (any missing steps/anything in the wrong order)?

Thanks, I really appreciate any answers!

[h_bomm]

Re: Hey guys, new here, just have a few questions

Hi Eric, welcome to MOL! A couple of things that stood out to me - are your water spots etched in or is it just dirty looking? Using Ultimate Wash & Wax is probably unnecessary if you are going to clay it anyway, Gold Class Car wash is most people's go to soap, me included. First, obviously, is wash and dry your car. Skip hitting it with the Quick Detailer and go right into claying your car, you use the QD as a lubricant for the clay anyway! Then hit it with the Ultimate Compound. Do you have a DA polisher for this? If not it's ok but it does make life much easier. You already hit on using quality microfiber towels, make sure you have plenty in case you drop one. If one hits the ground grab a new one because it will pick up dirt. After UC, Ultimate Polish is a good follow up step. It a more mild liquid than UC and has a lot of polishing oils in to help really gloss up your paint. Then last is your wax of choice. After going through this whole process, then you can use the UWW to help boost your wax in between proper waxings, if that makes sense. Hope this helps!

[EricB814]

Re: Hey guys, new here, just have a few questions

Hi Eric, welcome to MOL! A couple of things that stood out to me - are your water spots etched in or is it just dirty looking? Using Ultimate Wash & Wax is probably unnecessary if you are going to clay it anyway, Gold Class Car wash is most people's go to soap, me included. First, obviously, is wash and dry your car. Skip hitting it with the Quick Detailer and go right into claying your car, you use the QD as a lubricant for the clay anyway! Then hit it with the Ultimate Compound. Do you have a DA polisher for this? If not it's ok but it does make life much easier. You already hit on using quality microfiber towels, make sure you have plenty in case you drop one. If one hits the ground grab a new one because it will pick up dirt. After UC, Ultimate Polish is a good follow up step. It a more mild liquid than UC and has a lot of polishing oils in to help really gloss up your paint. Then last is your wax of choice. After going through this whole process, then you can use the UWW to help boost your wax in between proper waxings, if that makes sense. Hope this helps!

Thank you. I my water spots just look dirty (I really (I haven't noticed them until today, so I honestly don't know). Also, how should I dry my car? I have heard of various techniques and don't know what to do. I don't want to scratch it more than it already is. And, what type of wax is relatively inexpensive but works well?

[ffboy]

Re: Hey guys, new here, just have a few questions

For drying your car, a good drying microfiber towel can help minimize inflicting those unwanted swirls and micro-scratches. One technique is to flood rinse the car... After using higher pressure to rinse of the car wash from your car, remove the nozzle attachment and just let the water flow from the car panels to allow it to sheet off.

Usual steps for a decent detail are: Car wash, Claying, cleaning (UC), Polishing (optional, depending on your car's color), Waxing, maintaining. For removing tar, good old kerosene works real well. Cheaper too. Although UC may be strong enough to remove the bird poop and tar.

Wax that works well for the price: Meguiars Cleaner wax (paste or liquid) cleans, polishes and protects in 1 step, Deep crystal Carnauba wax is also inexpensive.

[h_bomm]

Re: Hey guys, new here, just have a few questions

Well drying with a waffle weave microfiber towel I what most people do,myself included. You will probably need a couple to get the job done. I've always had good luck with the Gold Class Liquid wax. It smells good and shines up well, although I haven't used it in a while. I've switched to NXT 2.0 for now and when this is gone I'm going to try Ultimate Liquid wax after that. But give the Gold Class wax a shot, it's relatively inexpensive and should be good for you.

[wifpd4]

Re: Hey guys, new here, just have a few questions

Eric,

You've received some excellent advice thus far, but winter rapidly approaches and here's my suggestion. Without photographs I'm going to assume, based on your brief description, you car looks good, but needs a fair amount of work. I would say wash it with a quality wash, carefully dry it and put on the longest lasting wax Meguiar's offers, Ultimate Wax. Then start saving up for spring time purchase of a power buffer, like the Porter-Cable. Removing swirls and scratches from even a well taken car of car can be a difficult chore by hand. As the temperatures begin to drop, unless you have a heated garage, working by hand will be very time consuming and difficult. Most car care products are best used at temperature above 50-55 degrees.

Now if you have a heated garage, then have at it. Follow the suggestions you have already received.

Post some photos and folks will be able to offer additional advice. Good luck in your endeavors.

[EricB814]

Re: Hey guys, new here, just have a few questions

Eric,

You've received some excellent advice thus far, but winter rapidly approaches and here's my suggestion. Without photographs I'm going to assume, based on your brief description, you car looks good, but needs a fair amount of work. I would say wash it with a quality wash, carefully dry it and put on the longest lasting wax Meguiar's offers, Ultimate Wax. Then start saving up for spring time purchase of a power buffer, like the Porter-Cable. Removing swirls and scratches from even a well taken car of car can be a difficult chore by hand. As the temperatures begin to drop, unless you have a heated garage, working by hand will be very time consuming and difficult. Most car care products are best used at temperature above 50-55 degrees.

Now if you have a heated garage, then have at it. Follow the suggestions you have already received.

Post some photos and folks will be able to offer additional advice. Good luck in your endeavors.

Thanks to you, and everyone else, for the great advice!